World’s Happiest Show

World’s Happiest Show is a 1962 American musical film that was directed by Melvin Frank and produced by Hal B. Wallis. A sequel to 1952’s The Greatest Show on Earth, the film takes place years after the events of the first one, with Brad Braden (now played by Tab Hunter) being the person in charge of The Howdy Doody Show. Released by Paramount Paramount Pictures with involvement from NBC in November 1962, the film was a critical and commercial failure grossing $1 million against its $4.5 million budget.

Plot
A few years after the first film, Brad Braden left his position as circus manager and has been working on The Howdy Doody Show. Recently, the show has become less profitable because of fast-pace animated programs. In fact, the network has laid off many of the show’s cast and crew members. After some time discussing to network executives about the show’s fate, Brad is soon promoted to executive producer and becomes in charge of production.

Brad realizes the number of challenges he will face. The show’s host, Buffalo Bob, was one of the cast members laid off. He recruits his wife Holly, who had briefly left show business and with the help of the costume department, becomes Holly Happy, who is written to be Buffalo Bob’s niece.

Brad finds a young puppeteer named Bill Napier, who soon becomes the person who looks after the marionettes. After the search of finding the new cast and crew is complete, taping of the newest episode begins. The newest episode becomes a success within the peanut gallery. After the newest episode airs, the network decides not to cancel the show and a few weeks later, the ratings improve enough to be stable. The movie ends with Holly announcing to Brad that she’s having a baby and the two kiss.